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Stanford University researchers found that fully powering Michigan with renewable energy by 2050 would create nearly 150,000 jobs, save more than 1,700 lives per year, and save the average Michigander close to $11,000 annually in energy, health, and climate costs. Many other studies have backed up these findings. The groundbreaking international climate agreement reached by 190 nations in 2015 aligned with this goal.

A complete shift to carbon-free energy sources will be a big task and will take some time to achieve. We must get started now. Unfortunately, instead of moving Michigan towards this clean energy future that we so desperately need, our elected officials have been debating during much of 2016 whether to rollback or make a minimal increase to our current 10% renewable energy standard.

Michigan Climate Action Network was created to elevate the issue of climate change in our state, to be the voice willing to call for a rapid shift to alternative energy sources, and to build a stronger climate movement to achieve this transition to 100% renewable energy. We are focusing our efforts on four main areas:

1. Move to 100% Clean Energy

Around the world, cities are leading the way! In Michigan, most of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. A grand opportunity exists to make significant reductions in carbon emissions by transforming electricity generation to renewables like wind and solar, and employing more energy efficiency measures. We are working to get more Michigan cities to create and implement plans to move towards climate neutrality and 100% renewable energy. Get involved with our 100% Renewable Cities plan.

2. Electrify Everything

The electrification of transportation is critical to achieving 100% renewable energy by midcentury. With Michigan being the home to the nation’s automakers, we are uniquely positioned to influence the transformation of personal transportation away from fossil fuels and toward electrification and renewable power sources. And leading the way in electric vehicles will create more jobs for the Michigan workforce. What's happening with electrifying transportation?

3. Just Say No to Oil Pipelines

Michigan’s Great Lakes are our pride and joy, but they are also hosting an aging fossil fuel pipeline. Every day, Enbridge Line 5 transports 23 million gallons of Canadian fossil fuels that threaten the health of the Lakes, and when burned, spill greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere. Michigan is uniquely positioned to administer the contract held by the pipeline’s owner. This inflection point gives us the power and responsibility to stop the flow of oil, all while influencing a clean energy transformation of our transportation system to eliminate the need for the product carried by the pipeline. Find out more about Line 5.

4. Fight for Clean Energy Policies

Passing state policies will be necessary to achieve a transition to clean energy. Part of all of our campaign work will be to build momentum and a cultural shift in support of clean energy, both among the public and decision makers. We also will work to support policies, like renewable energy standards and emissions regulations, and prevent policy gains from being rolled back under the Trump administration. Find out how we are fighting for clean energy policy.

The Michigan Climate Action Network calls on you to join us to create the future we want to see, and one that our citizens, and all humans and species, need for our collective survival.

Join us today. Only working together can we create the future that everyone and everything needs.